Then again, it might backfire. The good ole Brit electorate might just turn around and collectively declare "Well, actually let's make a clean sweep altogether while we're at it and not just change the lable on the jam jar."

There are still flaky UK Labour supporters who think fondly of millitant unions, Michael Foot and CND.

Brown needs to ensure they remain on the margins of his party.

Certainly, although it's questionable whether he will have the ability to do so. Blair managed to do that by counterbalancing the die-hard socialists with moderate voters and candidates, but it remains to be seen how well Brown will be able to use his momentum as PM to hold on to those voters. He may well be reduced to "dog-whistle" politics by the end of his term.

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